Minnesota Viking Stadium Issues. Where Are The Solutions Besides A Sales Tax Or Input From Elected Officials ? From The View Of A Homeowner Taxpayer On Medicare and Social Security. Did My Beloved Dodgers Ever Leave Brooklyn ? N.Y. Football Giants Leave The Polo Grounds Or Yankee Stadium ? Minneapolis Area Resident from 1968-Des Moines-Then From 1970-Home Owner Since 5/1976 A Mile N Of Lake Nokomis.
The 10/2 2011 www.startribune featured a front page article followed by on A 10 about Minnesota Viking owner Zygi Wilf. It’s obvious as both N.Y. Giant fans growing up that if and his family were(much better seats ?) : like my dad and I on 12/14/1958 behind home plate when Pat Summerall kicked a 49 yard field goal in a “ blazing blizzard” in what some historians call the beginning of the modern era of pro football. The only reference to a stadium financing solution was from comments from St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman who has advocated a 2 cents-a drink state wide tax vs. the .05 cent tax increase from Ramsey County. Did it give the wrong IMPRESSION about his massive wealth ? In other words, how could someone with THAT MUCH money be able to bamboozle the public into spending tax $$$’s on a NEW stadium like dead billionaire Carl Pohlad, who in my opinion must be laughing in his grave over the non-public support of a 4-3 Hennepin County Board that financed the Twins Stadium with a .015 % tax. ? Because like other owner’s, he knows he can get it ? I awaited to view the Letters To The Editor during the week as well as in the 10/9 Trib. Just a few. On the 10/7 segment of Public T.V., Almanac there was a discussion on a NEW proposal to put the Stadium on ANOTHER Minneapolis site besides the Framers Market with combining several groups for support? The Trib then came out with another FRONT PAGE story on 10/10 which in my question raised more ambiguous questions but no concrete answers. The simplest SOLUTION is to have the Vikings build a NEW open air stadium in Minneapolis with PRIVATE money as well as keep the Metrodome for events. Wouldn’t it be TRAGIC if they tore it down ? If the Vikings want tax $$$’s why have they turned DOWN every possible site outside of their current quest in Arden Hills ?
The debate continued on 10/12 front page where citizens were shut out on a public vote yet a 200 page document on Arden Hills site identified $ 39 million in unfunded costs. WCCO-T.V.on 6 P.M. news also featured commentary. Bottom line-Vikings want a done deal by the end of December. They also INSIST that THIS IS THE ONLY SITE that they want. Most disturbing in sports section was in comparing Viking running back Adrian Peterson to the “ greatness” of Jimmy Brown( Garden City High School, Garden City,L.I. N.Y. less than 10 miles from where I grew up. Played college at Syracuse, 1957-1965 Cleveland Brown, Jimmy Brown who was on 27-0 win over Baltimore Colts on 12/27/1964 .with 114 rushing yards in 27 carries. He was the PROBABLY the greatest players of all time and to compare Adrian “ Mr. Fumble in critical situations” is a disgrace. Peterson is No Brown nor ever will be !!! Despite comments from one of the Viking coaches in former Brown from 1957-1967 Paul Wiggin that he is a great player.
Now 1-4, and the Minnesota Viking management want the tax payers to contribute to a NEW stadium ? Perhaps, until the public is informed about the soil testing of site that Zygi wants to build on from an Army ammunitions plant on 10/15 the citizens of Minnesota will not know additional possible clean up costs. A former customer in N.J. mentioned that Zigi or one of his firms owns property of a superfund site from an old creosote factory that operated before the War that is cleaned up now in his hometown in N.J. Then in `10/3/2011 Star a few Letters To Editor suggested solutions but ONLY to add a sales tax to rest of the state. On WCCO Radio it featurd R-Mn. House Rep John Kriesel who favors a sales tax as he looked for solutions. Is he aware of “ the “ Joe Averages “ who do not have a say ?
In 2011 my property taxes increased $ 426 while my home value decreased. Our new Twins stadium doesn’t even have footings that could possibly be used if a dome was necessary. FOR YEARS as a tax payer, I sent TOO many letters and e-mails requesting that we have a multi-purpose Twins/Viking retractable roof stadium on the current parking lot of the now Viking only re-named Mall of America Field . Feasible-probably not ? Yet, no response. Currently NOT ONE ELECTED Minnesota official has come out with a statement against additional taxes on the taxpayers ? Why not ? Afraid to lose position in either 2 year elected House or 4 year in Senate as being responsible if Vikings leave ?
Does “ Joe Average like me who has only been to ONE Timberwolve game when they started in 1989 and played at the Metrodome. Attended numerous Twins games at the Metrodome when upper level box seat tickets were $ 10.00 along the lines( purchased 1987 World Series tickets from customer N.Y. Mets at the face value of $ 30.00 each in sets of 3 in nose bleed section behind home plate and out in R field-associates purchased rest and paid for ours-took oldest daughter and wife to game 2). Have yet bought a new Twins ticket as a result of the tax but did go with friend’s in 2011. Attended for FREE the 1985 All Star Game practice and HR hitting contest as long as you showed a bus receipt with family. Never been or have a desire to attend a Viking regular season game yet secured 1992 Super Bowl tickets from customer NFL at $ 150 ea., 5 rows up on 25 yard line. Been a few times to the “ old North Stars 1967 arena-even housed defunct former ABA 1967-1968 Minnesota Muskies and Pipers 1968-69 “ that was state of the art even when torn down to make room for the Mall of America Parking lot. 1967 expansion Hockey Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas in 1993-won Stanley Cup in 1999. Not attended a since 2000 expansion Minnesota Wild game.
What then might be some SOLUTIONS ? Can recall in New Yorker Magazine in what the 50’s/60’s ? People rushing to the central city, “ Look the Republicans have found a solution ? “
1. If the Vikings are important to the State of Minnesota why hasn’t the business community come up with the funds that those who might profit from the project contribute to it’s building ? If former Minneapolis Laker GM, current Tribune sportswriter as well as on WCCO Radio , 91 year old Sid Hartman is convinced that Zigi will move the team to L.A. why doesn’t he pay for it along with “ his closest personal friends” ? Such as bars, hotels, reporters who write about the team, radio/T.V or EVEN added newspaper space for written coverage ? Didn’t a former Startribune writer in Jay Weiner once mention that if a team leaves, nothing happens to economy since people will spend the sports entertainment $$$’s elsewhere ?
2. Just where are the STATS of lost $$$ especially if millionaire athletes are taxed for income in Minnesota ? Several weeks ago my youngest grandson who plays on the freshman Minneapolis Washburn football team was given a slip saying that they were looking for funds of support ? The city of Minneapolis has had massive cutbacks to services plus an additional 1 % city tax yet pro athletes make or receive HUGE CONTRACTS ? In attending my grandson’s freshman teams game against my late father-in-law’s, wife’s and daughter’s alma matter at Roosevelt High School, a few lights were out on the score board. I overheard a comment to contribute to alumni fund-instead of “ Joe Average “ trying to make ends meet why not ask a current Minnesota Twin on the LAST PLACE 2011 Minnesota Twins who makes over 20 million a year who hit .287, 85 hits, 70 R.B.I.’s and 3 Hr’s( not BAD) to help out or NEW contracts to keep Adrian Peterson and Chad Greenway as Minnesota Vikings here to donate a few $$$’s ?
3. Since the 2011 Minnesota Twins finished in last place, the Minnesota Vikings who are now 1-4 and will be impossible to make playoffs and as written the Minnesota Timberwolves are worst team in my opinion to put on a uniform with name Minnesota. They, too want an additional 120 million to upgrade their arena. Suggested that they “ at least exchange with another “ such as Sacramento Kings who won an N.B.A. title with Syracuse in 1951. On 10/10 wrote a Letter to Editor that since 1997 Women’s WNBA Minnesota Lynx just won 1 st Title this past 10/8 that they should replace Timberwolves as in season that is in limbo. In other words, if former late Minnesota Twin owner who at one time had considered selling Twins back to the A.L. why can’t current owner Glen Taylor do the same with Timberwovles and replace with Lynx II ? It’s obvious after Championship that they can play better. Why can’t all these inept players give up 75 % of salaries along with team owners and help pay for a new Vikings stadium ?
4. A user/memrobelia tax on ANYTHING that says Minnesota Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves or Wild. When I sold computer products from 1983-1999 we did not collect tax. How much business is done on the web that does not require one to pay state taxes ? I only have an old Twins M cap purchased in Birmingham, Alabama, Twins sweat shirts from 1987 and 1991 World Series, A 1987 World Series T-shirt but numerous Super Bowl items of key chains, pins and a T-shirt. Have yet to PURCHASE anything that says Vikings or Wild. Yet wear NY football Giant, Brooklyn Dodger, N.Y. Ranger and Boston Celtic clothing. At least they won CHAMPIONSHIPS !!!
5. If a “ special session “ for Minnesota Legislature SECURE the Viking legacy such as name when Cleveland Browns retained rights to team, colors, all memorabiilia and logo when it moved to Balitimore in 1996 . Became an expansion team in in 1999.
6. Infrastructure such as roads-who pays ? Zigi Wilf has “ grand ideas “ with hotels, housing and retail complex but without road improvement how much traffic would it tie up on game day OR EVEN during the week ? Since I am retired nor attend sporting events, how many have been stuck in traffic such as 1 st attended on 9/12/1964 1 st N.Y. Jet game. Normally a 25 minute drive-arrived in 2 nd half-people were parked along side Cross Island Expressway and jumped the fence.
7. Change name IMMEDIATELY of Vikings to: Chokers, Inepts, Pathetics, Zigi’s Follies.Have a contest-do not boycott games since SO many workers make a living such as oldest who works for a pub downtown. Even after 1 st win on 10/9 business was PATHETIC. Lack of confidence in team or 83 ABOVE when so many were OUTSIDE ? Guess who even took a swim in Lake Nokomis ? Also have in the paper, solutions and ideas as well as a possible name change if we get an existing team who would like to move to the old named Metrodome now “ Mall of America Field” . Minnesota Moose, Elk, Muskies, Lumberjacks, Freeze, Ice ?
8. Since bars will be losing money as the team heads for another “lack luster season” , why can’t they be “ creative “ and name drinks after players such as: Peterson Banana Peel( yes-give the ball to Adrian but in CRITICAL situations he fumbles ), McNabb drab. Or even for a Twin such as a Sour Mauer ? A Kahn Con ? ( Named after inept current Minnesota Timberwolve GM who has had a reputation of making disasterous decisions.
9. An additional rental car tax. In Germany they even added road tax in 2011. Next time if you travel, look at all the fees-why not here? Or some other creative ways to add revenue SUCH as a user tax by higher priced seats ?
10. There MUST BE A WAY to rescind the what I perceive is an :” illegal “ Hennepin County .015 % tax on the Twins Stadium ?
11. The new Viking stadium would also have to be “ open air “ as to not compete with the Metrodome for special events such as tractor pulls and Final Fours
12. Ask the Startribune to devote many pages of ideas from the “ fans “ WITHOUT EDITING. Just where are the VOICES-why can’t we be heard ?
In all our driven in 50 states, 49 twice since 1969, 2 trips via Norway/6 Germany from 1999 my wife and I have worn Minnesota named clothing such as Mall of America, Lake Nokomis, U of M or from State Parks but NEVER Vikings in Europe. Have donned sweat shirt like U of M jackets with a hood on those jaunts. It is difficult to support a team that will once again not make the playoffs Bottom line !! If the Vikings are SO IMPORTANT TO THE STATE show the tax payer the benefits ? It’s obvious that I have seen NONE !! Let the Vikings move to L.A. since I am convinced that we can secure another existing franchise to move here and either play in the Metrodome, now Mall of America Field or a new owner who has $$’s to build a new stadium.
